CARACCIOLUS, Robertus (1425-1495). Sermones de laudibus sanctorum. Augsburg: Anton Sorg, 23 February 1490.

Early edition of sermons from Roberto Caracciolo, celebrity Franciscan preacher. His sermons drew large crowds, although his performative antics (which could include costumes) earned him the criticism of later writers like Erasmus. Caracciolo was one of the first authors to see his writings become printed best-sellers in his own lifetime, having seen the possibilities in the printing press of gaining a wider audience for his charismatic sermons and personally overseeing their publication. He put together a number of collections which were widely printed in many editions. This is his collection of sermons on the saints, which had already appeared in multiple editions in various cities by 1490; this is the second to be printed in Augsburg, after Ratdolt's 1489 edition.

An annotator of this copy has paid special attention to the sermon praising Thomas Aquinas, and in particular the section on the value of scientia, which discusses the importance of everything from medicine to Classical learning for the preservation of Christian religion and combat of heresy. Goff C-147; Bod-inc C-068; BMC II 354; BSB-Ink C-117; GW 6056. For more on the text, see Giacomo Mariani, Robert Caracciolo Da Lecce, 1425-1495 (2022) and Contemporaries of Erasmus I:163.

Folio (260 x 185mm). 219 leaves [of 220, without final blank]. Red initial with reserved decoration on first text leaf, other initial spaces filled in red, some with flourishes; rubricated. Woodcut of Jerusalem (some dampstaining mostly at front, a few stains). Modern half calf, title on spine (extremities a bit rubbed). Provenance: occasional marginal comments and underlining.